Decide, don't dither, over the future of London's airports

Will they, won’t they? We had expected an announcement today about the expansion of London’s airport capacity but this now seems unlikely. There have been assurances that it will definitely come before the end of the month and we certainly hope so. Boris Johnson once described this whole saga as “ditherama” and politicians have danced around this question for more than 40 years. Further procrastination would not only be absurd but damaging.

Since the vote to leave the EU on June 23, the inevitable uncertainties over the nation’s future political and trading relationships have given an impression of drift that has alarmed the City and overseas investors. Rumours of a growing rift between Number 10 and the Treasury over how to handle Brexit do not inspire confidence. Of course, such a significant process needs careful consideration, proper discussion and a full assessment of all the evidence. The country will not thank a government that rushes headlong into this process without having all its ducks in a row.

An aircraft coming in to land at HeathrowCredit:
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But there are ways of managing the narrative that emphasise the virtues of prudence without leaving a sense of aimlessness. This requires ministers – including those who would rather the country had voted to stay in the EU – to give an upbeat assessment of the country’s potential and to accentuate the opportunities that Brexit provides. Talk of splits, rows and potential sackings or resignations does no good at all. The Government clearly has a major task ahead to establish the best way to fulfil the country’s Brexit decision. And a good way to demonstrate confidence in the future would be to end the airport “ditherama” – today, preferably, but certainly by the end of the month.